Wondering if anyone has run into this issue when obtaining GIS data and if there is a solution:
I am attempting to create a Locator in ArcGIS for Southern California and I've found that using parcel data greatly improves the accuracy and match rate. So far, most counties provide this information on their public GIS portals. San Luis Obispo and Orange County said they cannot provide the data because it is maintained by a third party (ParcelQuest) and therefore is licensed. However, the public agencies display the data in web maps along with attribute information on their websites:
Orange County: https://www.ocgis.com/ocpw/landrecords/
San Luis Obispo: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3e0adee3aabd4805bd13f0d4705a4193
If I am interpreting the California Public Records Act (California Government Code §§ 6253) correctly, this data has to be provided to any citizen who requests it since the public agency is paying the private company with taxpayer money to maintain it and the public agency displays it on their own website. It even says on the ParcelQuest website they update their data "daily straight from the county assessor".
- (f) In addition to maintaining public records for public inspection during the office hours of the public agency, a public agency may comply with subdivision (a) by posting any public record on its internet website and, in response to a request for a public record posted on the internet website, directing a member of the public to the location on the internet website where the public record is posted. However, if after the public agency directs a member of the public to the internet website, the member of the public requesting the public record requests a copy of the public record due to an inability to access or reproduce the public record from the internet website, the public agency shall promptly provide a copy of the public record pursuant to subdivision (b). (Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 695, Sec. 1. (AB 1819) Effective January 1, 2020.)
6253.3. A state or local agency may not allow another party to control the disclosure of information that is otherwise subject to disclosure pursuant to this chapter.
6253.31. Notwithstanding any contract term to the contrary, a contract entered into by a state or >local agency subject to this chapter, including the University of California, that requires a private entity to review, audit, or report on any aspect of that agency shall be public to the extent the contract is otherwise subject to disclosure under this chapter. (Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 62, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009.)
Any guidance would be appreciated.